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1Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh,[#Eccl 5.12; 1 Tim 6.9, 10]
and anxiety about it drives away sleep.
2Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,
and a severe illness carries off sleep.
3Rich people toil to amass possessions,[#Sir 11.18, 19; Lk 12.19]
and when they rest, they fill themselves with their delicacies.
4Poor people toil to make a meager living,[#Prov 16.26]
and if ever they rest, they become needy.
5Those who love gold will not be justified;[#Prov 28.20; 1 Tim 6.10]
those who pursue money will be led astray by it.
6Many have come to ruin because of gold,[#Sir 8.2]
and their destruction has met them face to face.
7It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it,
and every fool will be taken captive by it.
8Blessed are the rich who are found blameless[#Job 31.24; Ps 62.10]
and who do not go after gold.
9Who are they, that we may call them happy?
For they have done wonders among their people.
10Who has been tested by it and been found perfect?
Let it be for them a ground for boasting.
Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress
and to do evil and did not do it?
11Their prosperity will be established,[#2 Cor 9.12, 13; #31.11 Other ancient authorities add because of this]
and the assembly will proclaim their acts of charity.
12Are you seated at the table of the great?[#Prov 23.1–3; Sir 37.29; #31.12 Some ancient authorities add the title Concerning Food; #31.12 Heb Syr: Gk at a great table]
Do not be greedy at it,
and do not say, “How much food there is here!”
13Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.[#Sir 14.8–10]
What has been created more greedy than the eye?
Therefore it covers the face with tears.
14Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,[#v 18]
and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.
15Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own,[#Tob 4.15]
and in every matter be thoughtful.
16Eat what is set before you like a well brought-up person,[#Prov 23.1–3; Sir 37.29; #31.16 Heb: Gk like a human being]
and do not chew greedily, or you will be despised.
17Be the first to stop, as befits good manners,
and do not be insatiable, or you will give offense.
18If you are seated among many persons,[#v 14]
do not help yourself before they do.
19How ample a little is for the well-disciplined!
They do not breathe heavily when in bed.
20Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating;[#Eccl 5.12; Sir 37.30]
they rise early and feel fit.
The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea
and colic are with the glutton.
21If you are overstuffed with food,
get up to vomit, and you will have relief.
22Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me,
and in the end you will appreciate my words.
In everything you do be moderate,
and no sickness will overtake you.
23People bless those who are liberal with food,[#Prov 22.9]
and the testimony to their generosity is trustworthy.
24The city complains of those who are stingy with food,[#Job 31.17; Sir 14.10]
and the testimony to their stinginess is accurate.
25Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,[#Isa 5.22; Jdt 13.2, 8; Sir 19.2]
for wine has destroyed many.
26As the furnace tests the work of the smith,[#Prov 23.29, 30; #31.26 Heb: Gk tests the hardening of steel by dipping]
so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.
27Wine is very life to humans[#Ps 104.15; Sir 40.20; 1 Esd 3.19; 1 Tim 5.23]
if taken in moderation.
What is life to one who is without wine?
It has been created to make people happy.
28Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation[#Eccl 10.17]
is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
29Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,[#Prov 20.1]
to quarrels and stumbling.
30Drunkenness increases the anger of fools to their own hurt,[#Prov 20.1]
reducing their strength and adding wounds.
31Do not reprove your neighbors at a banquet of wine,[#Sir 29.28]
and do not despise them in their merrymaking;
speak no word of reproach to them,
and do not distress them by making demands of them.